You already know that living alone is the best, but it’s true that it can make you a bit vulnerable as well.
Here are the best safety tips for living alone, so you can do it without fear.
Is It Safe to Live Alone?
YES, it can be totally safe to live alone, if you take the right precautions.
Most people who are victims of violent crime are hurt by people they know.
Although break-ins and home invasions do happen, they’re much less likely if you take smart precautions. For example, serial killer Richard Chase only went into homes that were unlocked, because he considered that an invitation.
Use the following safety tips to make sure you’re not making yourself a target when living alone.
How to Make Your Home Safer
Here are a few set-it-and-forget it ways you can make your existing home safer.
While some of these safety tips might require some investment of time or money, most of them are free and easy!
1. Make Sure Your Lock Is Secure
The main door to your home should definitely have a deadbolt lock. Doorknob locks are too easy to break.
An even more secure type of lock is one that requires a key even on the inside. These are called double-keyed deadbolt locks and they are incredibly safe if you have windows on or next to your door.
2. Use a Door Security Bar
For extra security and peace of mind while you’re at home, use a door security bar overnight.
3. Install Window Locks
You should keep all your windows locked. But, if your home has older windows, they might not be very secure.
You can invest in some cheap sliding window locks to add on to your windows for extra safety.
4. Secure Any Sliding Glass Doors
If you have a sliding glass door, you should install a security bar.
Usually the built-in lock for sliding glass doors is a bit flimsy and can be forced open.
5. Install Privacy Curtains and/or Blinds
Make sure no one can see into your home at night.
6. Consider a Security Service
Look into a home security service if it fits into your budget.
They will call emergency services for you if needed and make sure you’re safe if your alarms go off.
7. …or Just Put Up a Sign
Sometimes just having the security service sign in your front yard or windows can be a deterrent, if paying for the service isn’t in your budget.
8. Get a Motion-Sensor Alarm
You can also get these motion-sensor alarms to set up at night to scare away anyone who gets too close.
9. Put Up a Security Camera
It’s smart to have these cameras set up on your front and back doors.
10. Install Motion-Sensor Floodlights
Floodlights scare away prowlers since it blows their cover of darkness.
11. Get New Fire Detectors and a Fire Extinguisher
Don’t neglect your fire safety!
Your fire detectors should be working and tested regularly. You’ll want to change the batteries on a yearly basis. You can put a reminder/event in your phone so you don’t forget.
Also, make sure you have a unexpired fire extinguisher handy and know how to use it.
12. Put Big Muddy Men’s Boots on the Doorstep
Sounds silly, but this is a legit safety I heard from a police officer for single women living alone!
Put a LARGE pair of men’s boots out by your door. Make sure they look used! Stomp them around in a mud puddle outside.
This way, people will think there’s a big burly man inside the house and think twice about breaking in 😉
13. Use Smart Lights on a Schedule
Smart lights are great if you like to go out at night, or are going on vacation.
If your lights are turning on/off, then people will think someone is home even when you’re out.
14. Consider Getting a Guard Dog
This is a whole lifestyle that isn’t for everyone, and a BIG expense and time commitment.
That said, if you are a dog person, choose to adopt a guard dog.
German shepherds, Rottweilers, and Dobermans make good guard dogs.
Daily Life Safety Tips for Living Alone
Now that you’ve got your home set up safely, you need to make sure you’re making safe decisions on a daily basis to keep it that way!
Here’s what you should keep in mind on a daily basis to stay safe while living alone:
15. Be Careful Who You Give Keys To
Considering making a copy of your key for someone? Just be careful and think it through first.
For example, you might want to run a background check on that pet sitter before giving them access to your home when you’re not there.
If there’s no way around it, consider changing the locks afterwards. Even if they give the key back, it’s possible they made copies.
16. Don’t Hide Keys Outside in Obvious Places
Afraid of getting locked out of your home?
It’s cliche to hide a copy of your key under your welcome mat, over the door frame, or inside a fake rock.
Instead, it’s safer to give a copy of a key to a trusted friend or family member in the area. You can also tuck a spare into your wallet, just in case.
If you do decide to hide a key outside, put it in a lockbox with a numeric code that only you know, and hide it in a creative spot that’s not right near the door.
17. Befriend Your Nosy Neighbors
Everyone has that neighbor with all the gossip who always watches what’s going down.
Even if you’re not a very social person, it’s worth investing some time into befriending this neighbor so they’ll keep an eye on your things for you!
Chat them up, bring them some cookies, and make sure they have your phone number so they can text you if they notice anything unusual.
18. Only Share Your Address With Trusted Friends
Buying/selling on Facebook Marketplace, or going on a first date?
NEVER have them meet you at your house.
Instead, meet at a neutral public location, preferably a crowded one.
Don’t let anyone know where you live, even the community you live in, unless you trust them 100%.
19. Always Keep the Deadbolt Locked
Whenever you close the door, whether you’re coming or going, make it a habit to lock the deadbolt.
20. Always Keep All Windows Locked
Same with windows – after you close it, make sure it’s locked securly.
21. Keep the Garage Door Down at all Times
If you have a garage, don’t leave it hanging open. And make sure the door from the garage to your house has a deadbolt.
22. Close the Curtains When It’s Dark Outside
When the lights are in inside and it’s dark outside, it’s easy to see everything you’re doing.
As soon as the sun goes down, close those curtains.
23. Don’t Answer the Door if You’re Not Expecting Someone
It might feel rude to ignore someone knocking at your door, but listen: it’s YOUR home and you DON’T have to answer.
In fact, you really shouldn’t open the door if you don’t know who it is and you’re not expecting anyone.
Just ignore it till they go away.
And if they DON’T go away, call the cops (if it is safe to do so your area) and/or a trusted friend.
24. Don’t Let Anyone in Without Verifying Their Identity
For example, if you called a plumber, ask them some verifying questions before opening the door for them.
There are some services that send you a photo of the person before they arrive, for your safety.
25. Don’t Share Your Current Location on Social Media
If you’re traveling or far away from home, or out for the night, wait to share those social media posts until after you get home.
Especially if you have a lot of followers or public profile.
26. Don’t Share Vacation Plans
Along the same lines, don’t publicly share that you’re going to leave your house empty and vulnerable.
27. Stay in Regular Contact
We’ve all heard horror stories where someone fell and was injured and no one found them for days.
Make sure there’s someone you check in with regularly who’ll notice if you’re missing.
There are even daily check-in services if you don’t want to bother anyone with this or would prefer to stick to yourself.
28. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
This is a good safety tip in general.
Avoid noise-blocking headphones, especially outside. Don’t get absorbed in your phone when walking to/from the car.
You want to be able to notice anything suspicious or if someone is approaching you.
29. Avoid Going Out Alone at Night
This one can depend on your neighborhood, but in general it’s safer not to be alone outside at night.
If you do have to, keep your walks short and stick to well-lit areas.
Also look into personal safety devices like pepper spray or tasers, just in case.
Don’t be afraid to make a scene, make noise, and run away if you’re in any doubt of your safety. To be blunt, it’s better to be rude than to be kidnapped, raped, or killed.
3 Quick Tips for Moving to a Safe Place
If you’re apartment hunting or on the market for a new home, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind if you’re going to be living alone:
30. Choose a Place on the Second Floor or Higher
If you’re looking at apartment buildings or condos, try to get a place NOT on the ground floor if it makes sense for you.
Ground floor apartments are somewhat easier targets.
31. Consider a Gated Community
If it’s in your budget, look for a gated community with security on-premises.
32. Always Change the Locks When You Move In
You never know who has a copy of the key out there, so make sure to immediately change your locks when you move into a new place, or ask your landlord to do so.
That’s it! All the best safety tips for living alone.
Did we miss something? Leave it in the comments below.